Glacier Symphony and Chorale set to begin 23rd season

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale will unleash its 23rd concert season on Oct. 15 and 16 with the first of nine concerts featuring a variety of symphonic, pops, chamber and chorale music following the theme of "Musical Art in a Modern World."

Concerts will be performed primarily in the auditorium at Flathead High School in Kalispell, with additional music events scheduled in Whitefish, Bigfork, and St. Ignatius and through May. Evening concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinee performances scheduled for 3 p.m. An outdoor summer concert is planned for July with a possible return of the Baroque and Beyond Ensemble later in the summer.

"A tremendous season is planned, offering masterpieces by, Beethoven, Berlioz, Brahms, Bruckner, Liszt, Respighi, Vivaldi, Wagner and others," said John Zoltek, conductor of the Glacier Symphony and Music Director of GSC. "Acclaimed soloists include violinist David Halen, Concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, concert pianist and reigning National Scrabble Champion, Roger Wright, Mexican recorder virtuoso Horacio Franco and former Flathead Valley resident, pianist Robert Satterlee."

He added that the Glacier Chorale, under the able direction of Shuan Garner, will appear in the December Christmas Concert and in two chorale-only concerts in March and at the St. Ignatius Mission in April.

As in prior years GSC is offering a season ticket package that includes six Masterworks Concerts for the price of five as well as a ticket package for all nine concerts. Season ticket prices range from $45 for student general admission to $180 for an adult all-concert reserved seat ticket. In addition, a "First timers, half off" special offer is being made to those who have not previously purchased a GSC Season Ticket. Individual concert tickets can be purchased at GSC ticket outlets. Cost for symphony concerts is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for students. Complete details about ticket pricing and packages and mail-in order forms can be found on the GSC Web site www.glaciersymphonychorale.org or by calling the GSC office, 257-3241.

The opening concert, titled "Cathedral of Sound," debuts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 and plays again at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. It will feature the symphony in a performance of two of Vienna's late 19th Century musical masters, Brahms and Bruckner. Guest artist, David Halen, Concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony, will perform Brahm's Violin Concerto in D, conducted by John Zoltek. Bruckner's massive, "Romantic" Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major will follow it.

"This symphony is often described as a 'cathedral of sound.' It is Buckner's most frequently performed work and requires a large, loud orchestra to convey it's equally large formal structure and 'Brucknarian' sonic world," Zoltek said of the piece.

Sponsoring the concert will be Eisinger Motors and Northwest Imaging.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m., the symphony will perform a "Beethoven Blast" featuring three of Beethoven's most popular works. "Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Major" featuring guest pianist, Roger Wright, will join the "Overture to Egmont "and" Symphony No. 2 in D Major. This outstanding young California-based artist also recently won the National Scrabble Championship. Glacier Bank and Rocky Mountain Heart and Lung sponsor the concert.

"A Timeless Christmas," the GSC's annual holiday family concert, will feature the 60-voice chorale with the full symphony in a half and half concert. Highlights in the orchestral portion will be Johann Strauss' "Die Fledermaus Overture," and Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite." Shaun Garner will lead the Chorale and John Zoltek the orchestra, in this ever-popular family concert. Concert sponsors include Semitool Inc., Glacier Eye Clinic and Glacier Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic.

On Jan. 20, 21 and 22, the Glacier String Quartet will perform "Magnificent Mozart" in selected informal venues in Whitefish, Bigfork and Kalispell. The evening combines delightful chamber music and delectable dessert offerings. Guest artist with the Quartet will be Dinah Weimer, principle clarinetist with the Glacier Symphony, performing Mozart's Clarinet Quartet. This concert is outside of the six masterworks concerts and is priced individually. Sponsors include Harbor Village, Kalispell Medical Oncology and Whitefish Credit Union.

Recorder virtuoso Horacio Franco, who has been called "Mexico's hottest export," will be soloist with the Symphony in a concert titled "Pines of Rome and the Magical Piper" on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Franco will perform two delightful concerti from the great Venetian Baroque composer Vivaldi. Leopold Strakowski's lavish orchestral transcription of Bach's great organ masterpiece (from the 1930s Fantasia) and Ottorino Respighi's evocative "Pines of Rome" will add grandeur to this exciting concert sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.

"Music For Sacred Spaces" will return to Whitefish and Kalispell on March 18 and 19 when the Glacier Chorale will perform in area church sanctuaries. Chorale Conductor, Shaun Garner, will lead the 60-voice chorale and be joined by the select chamber choir, the Montanaires, exploring the rich legacy of our American musical heritage in an overview of sacred songs and traditional spirituals. Avodah Publishing Inc sponsors the concerts.

On April 8 and 9, the Glacier Symphony Pops orchestra will perform "Movie Music Spectacular," a great pops concert for the entire family dedicated to the art of movie music, a genre that deserves the spotlight of the symphonic stage. Experience the exciting and emotional soundtracks that bring your favorite motion pictures to life. A special guest "movie expert" will add commentary on the films and the music. Flathead Electric, Insty Prints and Winter Sports Inc sponsor the concert.

Glacier Chorale goes "On the Road" on April 30 with a special concert in the sanctuary of the historic St. Ignatius Mission. The church, located in St. Ignatius, offers concertgoers a dynamic acoustical experience along with the intricately painted workmanship of this beautiful setting. Shaun Garner will conduct a selection of audience favorites.

"Berlioz and Liszt: Extreme Romantics" will be the season finale with the Glacier Symphony on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday May 14. Flathead Valley's own Robert Satterlee, will travel from his home in Indiana to display his musicianship in the fiery and diabolic showpiece, "Totentanz for piano and orchestra" by Franz Liszt. The Symphony will then perform Hector Berlioz's masterpiece of orchestral effect "Symphonie Fantastique." Berlioz continues to astonish even 21st Century audiences with his imaginative musical illusions. Kalispell Grand Hotel and The Towne Printer sponsor the concert.